Father on trial in stabbing death of 2-year-old son

The jury trial of the man facing a murder charge for the 2013 stabbing death of his 2-year-old son starts this week at Hamilton Superior Court.

Micah Harrison was arrested on Jan. 9, 2013, after police found Michael Harrison's lifeless body in a unit at Autumn Breeze Apartments in the 14000 block of Waterlily Drive in Noblesville. According to a probable cause affidavit, Micah Harrison's mother saw her son, who was 30 at that time, stab the boy at least twice with a kitchen knife.

Pamela Harrison took the knife from Micah Harrison and told him that he just killed his son, court documents said. She then called 911. Responding officers found Michael Harrison's body between a dresser and a TV stand in one of the bedrooms of Pamela Harrison's apartment.

The toddler had three stab wounds: two in his chest and one in his forehead. Police also found a nail puller, which matched the boy's forehead injury.

Earlier that day, Micah Harrison told his mother that "someone or something was trying to kill him," documents said.

Micah Harrison, of Robertsdale, Ala., drove to Noblesville that week with his son and two daughters to visit his mother. The girls, who were 4 and 5 at that time, were unharmed.

During his initial hearing, a sobbing Micah Harrison begged the judge to kill him.

When Najjar read him his rights, Micah Harrison said he should not have any.

In late January 2013, Micah Harrison and his attorney, Daniel Henke, filed a notice of intent to claim an insanity defense. The court then appointed two psychiatrists from the Indiana University School of Medicine to examine Micah Harrison. The psychiatrists' mental evaluations were filed in April.

Prosecutors are pushing for a life imprisonment without parole.

Megan Kelley, the boy's mother, said she couldn't believe what happened. She said Micah Harrison was an abusive husband, but he was a good father who never threatened his kids.

"He's hurt me a lot of times before, but never the kids," said Kelley, who received custody of her two daughters. "I've always thought he was a great dad. That's what kept me around."

Harrison has remained at Hamilton County Jail since his son's death. Jury selection for the trial is underway.